Yorkshire textile dyeing firm cuts carbon footprint with innovative heat recovery system called Atkinson Dyeing, a specialist yarn dyeing facility established in 1978 and acquired by woollen mill AW Hainsworth in 2019, has undergone significant transformation to improve environmental performance and modernise operations. The centrepiece of this transformation is the installation of a state-of-the-art heat recovery system, which captures 60°C wastewater and uses it to preheat incoming cold water to 50°C. This system is designed to reduce the site’s reliance on gas, delivering a major reduction in carbon emissions. At its full potential, this is projected to lower the facility’s gas bill by 20% and electricity by 10%. This investment builds on a range of infrastructure and operational improvements made across the Atkinson Dyeing site in Keighley. The winding area has been upgraded to increase efficiency, featuring the installation of 3D fans to reduce dust and improve air quality, a new insulated roof, upgraded LED lighting, and new windows that increase natural light. Reusable cones continue to reduce plastic waste, while new, in-house-engineered yarn-stripping machines have improved speed and process control. The site also introduced computer-controlled dyeing machines, which reduce water consumption compared to traditional methods. Water and chemical management has also been a priority. The site utilises river abstraction rights to reduce its reliance on mains water and ensures that all used water is treated offsite, with no discharge returning to the river. To mitigate environmental risks, bunds have been installed beneath chemical storage areas to contain any potential leaks. There has also been a focus on recycling and reuse efforts, with all cardboard, plastic, and wood being recycled and repurposed where possible. On the technical side, Atkinson Dyeing has implemented an OrgaTEXcloud-based planning system to enhance production traceability and scheduling across departments. Richard Smith, Operations Manager at Atkinson Dyeing, commented: “In previous years, we’ve installed power-saving inverters on our machinery, switched to an electric forklift truck, and converted the oil powered boiler to a more efficient gas burner, which reduced energy usage by 64%." “We still have a long way to go, but we’re proud of the progress made at Atkinson Dyeing. From facility upgrades to innovative technology and sustainable practices, we are continuously investing in our long-term vision for growth, environmental responsibility, and workplace wellbeing.” The facility’s progress is closely monitored using a carbon intensity model that tracks emissions per kilogram of yarn processed. This method allows the team to maintain high levels of transparency and accountability while setting a clear baseline for future reductions. The improvements at Atkinson Dyeing form part of AW Hainsworth’s broader sustainability strategy, which is supported through Planet Mark certification and a formal roadmap towards reaching Net Zero.

Just Desserts Yorkshire is sweetening up shelves across the UK with the launch of a brand-new collection of seven individually packaged tarts, expanding its successful retail-ready dessert range. The new collection follows strong customer demand and builds on the popularity of the brand’s existing cheesecakes, sponge cakes, and twin pudding pot retail ranges. Developed for farm shops, delis, food halls, and retailers, the new tart range gives customers the chance to enjoy restaurant and cafe-style treats from the comfort of home. Presented in convenient retail-ready packaging, the individually portioned tarts allow retailers to tap into the growing appetite for premium, handcrafted desserts. Each tart is available in cases of nine, with an RRP of £3.99 per unit. The collection features a mix of timeless favourites and fruit-based bakes, including: Treacle Tart, Bakewell Tart, Cornflake Tart, Coconut Tart, Pear & Almond Frangipane, Raspberry Frangipane and Black Cherry Frangipane. Kate Williams, General Manager at Just Desserts Yorkshire, commented: “We’re thrilled to unveil our new tart range, developed in response to customer demand for a take-home version of our popular menu desserts. Our new individually packaged tarts not only meet this need but also offer retailers an easy and appealing way to expand their chilled dessert offering.” “We’re proud to continue growing our handcrafted Yorkshire dessert selection, and we look forward to sharing even more new product developments in the months ahead.” About Just Desserts Based in the heart of West Yorkshire, Just Desserts are an independent, family run business who started life in 1985 in the renowned Salts Mill. Just Desserts specialise in baking a range of high-quality handmade desserts.

A precocious youngster who launched a business less than a year ago aged just 13 has seen it turn over nearly £200,000. Henry Williams, who is taking his GCSEs a year early, is the driving force behind Nibula Treats, a hamper company. Unable to contain his son’s entrepreneurial ambitions, his dad Mark, mum Kate and older brother Oscar have all become part of the new family business.   It is run from the garage of their house in Andover, Hants, but the youngster has grand ambitions. At present, the company sells a variety of hampers targeting the gift and corporate markets through its website and over Amazon, eBay and TikTok. It offers next-day delivery across the country and utilises AI technology to ensure it stays ahead of the curve. Henry, now 14, said: “It all began because I wanted to have some more pocket money so I started washing cars and mowing lawns. But then there was a drought and no-one needed their lawns cut so I was looking around for something else." “I saw the hampers but the market was saturated so I started looking for niches and decided to focus on local, artisan products from Hampshire. Then dad saw how the business was growing and bought an tiny hamper company for the name and website and its branding - and things really took off." “I emailed producers and networked and spoke to people - and I had to take my dad with me to meetings because I was only 13. Most people were really encouraging and with dad’s help and my mum and brother getting involved the businesses has really grown and we send hampers to all parts of the country." “At the moment I am developing AI on our platform so customers can ask it what a recipient might like in their hamper and so it can also suggest messages. By the time I’m 16 I want to be fully self-sufficient in business.” Dad Mark, a business analyst, said: “Henry has always wanted to run a business and after he started selling hampers we decided to home school him because he was so determined." “That was last year and the business has sent out tens of thousands of hampers and he’s had a turnover of £170,000 in that time. My wife is leaving her job to help because everything has become so busy and I’m trying to help out around my consultancy work." “Our other son Oscar, who is studying for a B-Tech, joins in with the packing, so we have a two-generation family business. But in this case the older generation joined in after the younger generation started it.” Above Photo: Henry Williams and his distribution centre – the family garage & family together Oscar, Mark, Kate and Henry.

Leading Scottish hospitality group Buzzworks has officially become the first multi-venue hospitality business in Scotland to achieve B Corporation certification. Joining a global movement of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability to balance profit and purpose, Buzzworks earned its certification following an in-depth evaluation by B Lab, the nonprofit organisation behind the B Corp movement. Buzzworks Managing Director, Kenny Blair, who has been instrumental in leading the business through the rigorous certification process, said: “Achieving B Corp Certification has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys we’ve undertaken as a business. With our scale, it was no small task, but we were absolutely determined to make it happen." “At Buzzworks, we’ve always believed in doing the right thing for our people, through industry-leading training and development initiatives, for the communities we operate in, by creating jobs and supporting local charities, and for the planet. Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a major step forward in our commitment to all three." “We are incredibly proud of this achievement. It’s a testament to the collective effort of our team and the values we live by every day at Buzzworks.” This certification reflects Buzzworks’ long-standing commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical business practices. The company continues to work closely with a range of charities and community partners, while also taking significant steps to address its environmental impact - including a commitment to reduce waste and energy consumption. These efforts are underpinned by ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tracking to measure Buzzworks’ progress and ensure continued accountability. The recognition comes on the back of another successful year for the family-owned business, with turnover rising 18% from £29.9m to £34.8m in 2024. This follows a major win at the prestigious Publican Awards — another first for a Scottish operator — and continued investment in growing its portfolio across Scotland. Buzzworks has ambitious plans to double the size of the business, bringing its award-winning culture and values to even more communities. Its three core values — Care with Flair, Grow Forward Together, and Value Every Voice — have shaped its B Corp journey and will continue to guide the company’s future. Renowned for its industry-leading employee benefits, training and development, flexible working options, and wellbeing initiatives, Buzzworks remains committed to being a great place to work and grow.

Sentiment amongst retailers fell at the sharpest rate in five years in May, with the net balance of firms expecting their business situation to deteriorate over the coming quarter, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. Year-on-year retail sales volumes fell in May, a decline expected to accelerate next month. However, online sales fared better, with volumes rising in the year to May, following six consecutive months of falling or flat sales. Against a backdrop of subdued demand, retailers plan to reduce investment and headcount. Retailers are expecting to significantly scale back capital expenditure in the next 12 months compared to the last 12. This cautious outlook shows only modest improvement on February's reading, which marked its weakest point since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Total employment fell in May compared to a year ago, with the pace of decline expected to accelerate in June. Key findings included: Year-on-year retail sales fell in May (weighted balance of -27% from -8% in April). Sales are expected to decline at a faster rate next month (-37%). Retail sales for the time of year were judged to be “poor” in May, but to a lesser extent than in April (19% from -31% in April). June sales are set to remain below seasonal norms (-21%). Sentiment amongst retailers plummeted in May at the sharpest rate in five years, with a net balance of firms expecting their business situation to worsen over the coming quarter (-29% from -19% in February). Retailers expect to scale back investment plans in the next 12 months (compared to the previous 12) to a significant extent (-47% from -56% in February). Employment in retail declined at a broadly steady rate in the year to May, compared to the previous quarter (-15% from -13% in February). Headcount is expected to fall at a quicker pace next month (-20%). Retail selling price inflation picked up in the year to May but remained below the long-run average for the fifth consecutive quarterly survey (+35% from +25% in February; long-run average +41%). Retailers anticipate selling prices to increase at an accelerated rate next month (+57%). Total distribution sales volumes (including retail, wholesale, and motor trades) declined in the year to May at the joint-fastest rate since January 2021 (-43% from -26% in April). Businesses anticipate another strong decline in sales for June, albeit at a slower pace (-38%). Ben Jones, Lead Economist, CBI, said: “This was a fairly downbeat survey and highlights some of the challenges facing the retail and wider distribution sector. In contrast to other recent retail data, this survey suggests parts of the sector are still struggling with fragile consumer demand, though online sales seem to be holding up better." “Firms are also feeling the impact of higher NICs and the National Living Wage increase. Our quarterly survey suggests that retailers are cutting back on hiring, scaling back investment and expect to increase selling prices at the fastest pace for over a year." “With the Spending Review on the horizon, the government has an opportunity to kickstart growth and incentivise investment, whether by reforming business rates, simplifying skills investment through the Apprenticeship Levy reform or expanding the Made Smarter Programme, further enabling digital adoption.” In addition, data from the survey showed: Retail orders placed upon suppliers declined at an accelerated rate in the year to May (-41% from -24% in April). Retailers expect to cut back on orders at a steady pace in June (-42%). Retailers reported that stock volumes  in relation to expected demand dipped below the long-run average in May (+12% from +21% in April; long-run average +17%). Stock positions are expected to ease further next month (+9%). Online retail sales volumes  grew at a strong rate in the year to May, following six consecutive months of falling or flat sales (+37% from -1% in April). Retailers expect online sales to grow again next month, but at a moderate rate (+17%). Wholesale annual sales volumes  fell in May at the fastest rate since June 2020 (-48% from -33% in April). Wholesalers expect the sales decline to slow next month (-30%). Motor trades annual sales volumes  contracted in May at the joint-quickest rate since October 2022 (-65% from -50% in April). Motor traders expect sales to decline at the same pace in June (-65%).

Thanks to the inspirational work of International Women's Group (IWG), a women-led voluntary organisation based in the St. Matthew’s Centre in Possilpark, women and children from a community of migrants, refugees, and others living in social isolation in Glasgow enjoyed a day of bonding, exploration, and quality family time during a special summer trip to Five Sisters Zoo. Many of the women IWG support face financial difficulties, social isolation, and limited access to leisure activities, making this trip invaluable for families who rarely have opportunities for such outings. The visit allowed participants to explore wildlife, experience nature, and create lasting memories in a safe and inclusive environment that encouraged social inclusion within Glasgow's diverse community. The zoo outing represented something particularly special as it was chosen by the women themselves, reflecting their desire to engage in an educational and enjoyable outdoor activity with their children. Meriem Timizar, Project Co-ordinator at International Women's Group, commented: "We wanted to offer mums and their children a positive and refreshing experience, and an opportunity to break from routine, enjoy nature, and return to school after the Bank Holiday with renewed energy and spirit. Despite the weather, everyone had a great time. Thank you again the Trust for making it happen with their generous funding; it truly made a difference." The Group supports diverse women in Scotland through education, community events, and equality promotion. The charity delivers workshops and English for Speakers of Other Languages classes to build skills and confidence, helping women overcome isolation and poverty whilst creating volunteering opportunities that empower women to integrate into their new surroundings. Through counselling services, advocacy, support for housing and immigration matters, and mental health workshops, IWG provides comprehensive assistance to help women navigate challenges of life in a new country and thrive in their communities. The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust donated £1,600 in funding to make this adventure accessible to all families, covering essential costs including bus transportation, park entrance fees, and sandwiches for the group. This support ensured that the women and their children could participate regardless of their financial circumstances. The trip provided a much-needed break for families whilst strengthening the community connections and wellbeing that can help diverse women build a stronger foundation for their futures in Scotland. "It’s wonderful to see so many women and children from diverse backgrounds sharing joy and making memories together. The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust was set up to make a difference in people’s lives and supporting projects like International Women’s Group, that bring communities together and create positive experiences for families, is how we achieve that.”

Leading offsite timber frame manufacturer, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), has been awarded the ‘Order of Distinction’ by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) after earning its 16th consecutive Gold Award. The exclusive Order of Distinction recognises remarkable consistency in displaying the very highest levels of health and safety in the workplace for 16 consecutive years. Now in its 69th year, the RoSPA Awards are the world’s largest health and safety awards programme, recognising those organisations and individuals who have set the highest standards in accident prevention. Each RoSPA Award entrant is assessed against rigorous criteria, making DTS a world leader in shaping safer, healthier workplaces, and among a small number of industry leaders to achieve the Order of Distinction. David Nimmo, Construction Director at Donaldson Timber Systems, said: “Achieving 16 Gold Awards in a row is an outstanding achievement, which demonstrates our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in health and safety. We’re honoured to be in the small number of industry leaders to achieve the Order of Distinction from such a prestigious organisation as RoSPA." “As the leading manufacturer of timber frame across the UK, health and safety is fundamental to the success of our business. These awards are a recognition of the hard work and commitment our people put into looking out for each other, our supply chain and our customers. This is truly an award for every member of the team for their continued work in keeping us all safe.” Julia Small, RoSPA’s Growth Director, said: “Donaldson Timber Systems should be proud of the hard work and commitment to keeping people safe that has resulted in a RoSPA Award, which honours those organisations who have achieved the highest standards in health and safety in the workplace. RoSPA regards Donaldson Timber Systems as a strong example of the importance of making accident prevention central to any successful organisation, not just for the benefit of employees, customers and clients, but also society as a whole.” Sponsored by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), the RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, and receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for the health and safety industry. Along with its health and safety credentials, DTS has achieved a range of third-party quality approvals, including BOPAS Plus, BBA, NHBC Accepts and STA Gold Assure, delivering the confidence that DTS products are durable and comply with building regulations and technical standards. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, DTS offers unrivalled experience and knowledge in offsite construction, operating from a network of manufacturing and technical centres across the UK.

Environmental Street Furniture Ltd (ESF) is proud to announce today, on World Environment Day 2025, the launch of its new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiative, designed to assist businesses in meeting their Tier 3 carbon reduction requirements. The initiative, entitled “ESG by ESF,” offers a comprehensive range of sustainable street furniture solutions, including 100% recycled plastic products, solar-powered innovations, and wind energy technologies, all aimed at helping organizations achieve their Net Zero targets. As the global emphasis on sustainability intensifies, companies are increasingly facing pressure to comply with stringent carbon reduction mandates. The ESG by ESF initiative provides an effective pathway for businesses, councils, architects, factories, educational institutions, and retail sectors to enhance their environmental responsibility and sustainability practices through innovative street furniture solutions. One of the hallmark offerings of ESG by ESF is the Wombles Collection, a range of street furniture crafted entirely from post-consumer waste. This collection exemplifies ESF’s commitment to reducing plastic waste while providing durable, stylish, and functional outdoor furniture. By utilizing 100% recycled materials, organizations can significantly lessen their carbon footprint and contribute to a circular economy. In addition to the Wombles Collection, ESF introduces solar-powered street furniture, which includes solar charging benches and solar compacting litter bins. These products not only provide essential services to the community but also generate renewable energy, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The solar charging benches allow users to power devices sustainably, while the solar compacting litter bins optimize waste management, leading to fewer collections and reduced vehicle emissions. To further enhance energy efficiency, ESF is introducing the Wind Tree, an innovative solution designed to harness energy from wind currents. This unique product captures wind energy to power street lighting and other public amenities, effectively reducing the use of fossil fuels and contributing to a greener urban environment. “Environmental responsibility is no longer just an option; it is a necessity,” said Alan Lowry, CEO of Environmental Street Furniture Ltd, the recent recipient of the Northern Ireland Sustainable business leader of the years for 2025. “With our ESG by ESF initiative, we are empowering organizations to take meaningful steps towards sustainability. Our products are designed to not only meet regulatory requirements but also to inspire communities to embrace eco-friendly practices.” ESF’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond product offerings. The company is dedicated to educating its partners and clients on the importance of carbon reduction throughout their supply chains. By collaborating with businesses to implement these innovative solutions, ESF aims to create a lasting impact on the environment while supporting organizations in their journey towards achieving Net Zero.

Leonard Curtis has secured a commercial mortgage deal for Devrim Zana, an independent restaurant in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Trading as Enver’s Turkish Grill, the family-owned business has built a loyal customer base with its recipes inspired by traditional Turkish cuisine and unique dining experience. A commercial mortgage was agreed by challenger business bank, Allica Bank, with Leonard Curtis’ funding team leveraging their sector knowledge and expertise within the leisure industry to source the most appropriate solution for the business. Kelly McGrath, Business Development Manager at Leonard Curtis, said: “Labour availability, inflation and consumer spending changes have created a challenging environment within the leisure industry so it’s positive to see independent, family-owned restaurants like Enver’s continuing to thrive. The deal with Allica Bank will not only secure the business’ future, but reduces its outgoings, allowing the reinvestment of capital for other priorities.” Leonard Curtis’ funding team navigated series of challenges to get the purchase completed, working in partnership with Leonard Curtis Legal. Kirstie Taskin, Director of Devrim Zana, commented: “Buying our commercial building was a stressful experience at times but Kelly kept us calm and guided us through every step. From the very beginning, she was knowledgeable, responsive, and incredibly patient—always there to answer our questions and offer reassurance when things felt overwhelming. Her expertise and steady support made a huge difference.” Ben Green, Business Development Manager at Allica Bank, supported Devrim Zana and Leonard Curtis throughout the process. Ben said: “The Allica team is delighted to have been able to support this thriving Sheffield restaurant and secure their future in the area. Hospitality and leisure businesses often struggle to find banks with the expertise to lend to them, which is why it was so important they had the support of Kelly and the Leonard Curtis team. It has been rewarding to collaborate with them on this.”

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of engineered timber components, Donaldson Timber Engineering Ltd (DTE), is proud to have been awarded Supplier of the Year by leading housebuilder, Taylor Wimpey. Beating competition from the entire Taylor Wimpey supply chain of more than 100 suppliers, the award is given to the team with the highest KPI score for the year. Every Taylor Wimpey site across the country scores each of its suppliers every quarter, based on a set of key criteria, covering performance areas such as quality, service and health and safety. The award was presented to DTE managing director, Luke Roberts and technical director, Oli James at the Taylor Wimpey annual supplier’s conference in Birmingham. Supplier of the Year was the only award given during the day. DTE supplies joists and roof trusses to sites across the UK for the national housebuilder, with all nine DTE branches delivering products to Taylor Wimpey. Luke Roberts, Managing Director at DTE, said: “Oli and I were immensely proud to attend the Taylor Wimpey conference and collect this award. We’re committed to always doing an excellent job for our customers, providing high quality products and service, so it’s fantastic to be recognised for consistently doing an excellent job for our customers. We supply a large amount of our products to Taylor Wimpey sites, which we deliver on time, to the highest standards and with excellent service. This award is not just for a single piece of work well done, but for a strong standardised approach across the country and that makes me very proud indeed." “Every single person at DTE is involved in the work we do for Taylor Wimpey in some way, so this is truly a full team effort. I would like to thank everyone at Taylor Wimpey who helped us achieve this award, and especially everyone at DTE who worked hard every day offering a high level of customer service, excellent manufactured products and value adding designs.” Julie Arucci, Group Procurement Director at Taylor Wimpey said: “Our suppliers and subcontractors play a crucial role in our business, including in the construction of our homes, so we set clear standards on issues such as safety, quality and environmental performance and work closely with them to ensure consistently high quality." “We’re thrilled to be able to reward DTE as our top scoring supplier of the year, recognising the excellent part they play in our trusted supply chain.” DTE is the UK’s longest established manufacturer and supplier of roof trusses, open web joists and I-joists, with a regional network of nine branches across the UK. It is part of the 165-year-old Donaldson Group. Currently led by the sixth generation of Donaldson, the Group comprises a total of 16 specialist timber and building product businesses and brands, operating throughout the UK.

Staffordshire tennis clubs are to benefit from life-saving training after digger giant JCB served up a £500 donation to support an ongoing first aid programme. Staffordshire Tennis, which supports 48 tennis clubs across the county, is creating a series of first aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) hubs which will help train coaches and players in life-saving skills. The hubs will be supported by First Responder Chris Godwin who will arrange regular sessions for clubs, coaches and the wider community to provide vital skills needed to deliver early intervention and CPR treatment. Martyn Rock Tennis Development Coordinator at Staffordshire Tennis, said: “Unfortunately, cardiac incidents can happen anywhere and knowing what to do in those first few seconds is vital - it can literally save a life. As coaches we are all trained in CPR as part of the coaching course." "However, we realised that it would be beneficial to refresh this knowledge regularly and help raise awareness of the benefits of learning life-saving skills like CPR. We couldn’t be more grateful to JCB for its support in making sure we now have all the equipment needed to provide regular training sessions to support our players and wider tennis community.” JCB’s donation has gone towards the £2,000 needed to provide training equipment including two CPR mannequins which will help participants to understand what it feels like to deliver CPR, what they need to do and how to make those first few seconds in an emergency count. Staffordshire Tennis works with the Lawn Tennis Association, the national governing body for tennis, to grow the sport across the county and create opportunities at all levels and ages to play racquet sports. More information on CPR training opportunities and the work Staffordshire Tennis is doing is available here. Photo Caption: Members of Stone Tennis Club take part in the first CPR training session for Staffordshire Tennis. Pictured left-to-right are Roy Williams Partnership Co-ordinator at Staffordshire Tennis, First Responder Chris Godwin, Graham Cole Chairman of Staffordshire Tennis, Paul Baldwin Chairman of Stone Tennis Club and Clive Paddison Treasurer at Staffordshire Tennis.

Manufacturers warn that upcoming Industrial Strategy will be fatally flawed unless sky-high energy costs are tackled 1. Industrial energy costs in the UK are currently four times as high as the US and 46% above global average 2. Ministers should remove regressive policy levies from energy bills to slash costs 3. And create a fixed electricity price to put British manufacturers on a level playing field with international competitors 4. Upcoming Industrial Strategy needs to address this fundamental domestic weakness if it is going to stimulate economic growth Key findings: 1. To unleash UK manufacturing’s full potential in driving growth, and commit to electrifying industry, Government must urgently reform the unfair policy levies that make low-carbon energy more expensive than fossil fuels. 2. One of the main reasons for high electricity prices for UK industry - compared to European counterparts is the decision to place most policy levies directly onto electricity bills. 3. Removing the policy levies would cut energy costs for manufacturers by 15%. 4. Government would agree a fixed price for manufacturing (a Contract for Difference) If the GB wholesale price went above the fixed price, government would pay manufacturers and subsidise their energy costs. If it went below the fixed price, manufacturers would pay back the difference to Government. 5. Britain’s manufacturers are today calling on the Government to commit to cutting industrial energy costs as part of its long-awaited Industrial Strategy, allowing manufacturing to grow to its full potential and avoid a looming period of de-industrialisation. Make UK has made it clear that an ambitious and effective industrial strategy is not optional. It is essential to ensuring the UK remains competitive, secure, and economically productive in the coming years. For that strategy to make the impact manufacturers across Britain desperately need, it must address the energy crisis that leaves firms at a massive competitive disadvantage. With industrial energy prices four times those in the US and 46% above the global average, the Government must act now. A new report, Tackling Industrial Energy Costs, published today by Make UK sets out solutions which the Government should place at the heart of the strategy, which are both deliverable and costed. In particular it urges Government urgently to reform the complex and unfair policy levies that make low-carbon energy more expensive than fossil fuels. These costly policy levies are currently applied only to UK industrial bills and not across the rest of Europe. Making this change would cut energy costs by 15% immediately. If coupled with an agreed a fixed energy price for Britian’s manufacturers, the resulting cost reduction would be significant. Both sides would take risk here. Government would pay manufacturers the difference if the cost of energy went above the agreed “strike” price, with manufacturers paying Government if the cost of energy fell lower than the agreed fixed rate. Make UK recommends that the electricity price £56/MWH which equates to a 10% reduction in retail prices paid by manufacturers. When the savings are added to those gained by removing the policy levies from bills, UK manufacturers would be on a par with European industrial energy bills. Stephen Phipson, CEO Make UK said: “If we do not address the issue of high industrial energy costs in the UK as a priority, we risk the security of our country. We will fail to attract investment in the manufacturing sector and will rapidly enter a phase of renewed de-industrialisation." UK manufacturers have faced energy prices far above those of European competitors for many years, undermining their ability to invest, grow, and compete globally. More inaction risks compounding this disadvantage and forcing the government to make difficult choices over costly bailouts) or managed decline of the UK manufacturing sector. Today we have set out a clear package of deliverable, sensible, and popular policies to tackle this issue with the urgency it requires.” Alan Johnson, Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Purchasing AMIEO, Nissan Motor Corp. said: “The Nissan Sunderland manufacturing plant has the highest energy costs of all Nissan plants across the globe. The proposals being put forward by Make UK - under the umbrella of a new Industrial Strategy - would send a strong message to investors that the UK remains committed to creating a more competitive environment for electric vehicle manufacturing.”